Practical Music Ministry

Serving God Through Sight, Sound, and Song

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Striving to Grow: Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry (part 3 – Autopilot)

Is lack of preparation clouding your team’s purpose?

We’re continuing our series on Striving to Grow.  Yesterday, we talked about a unified mindset.  Today, we’re going learn how to worship on autopilot.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not stressing that we just “go through the motions” when it comes to our worship.  On the other hand, I am asserting that we can’t truly worship until we are on autopilot.

The human brain can only really consciously focus on one dominant task at a time.  If we are focused on too many technical details, or on our own insecurities,  then how can we surrender our whole selves to worship?  Yes, our service and the utilization of our gift as an offering is an act of worship.  However, we can’t give God our first fruits, the full surrender of ourselves in worship, if our technical minds aren’t able to go on autopilot.

So, then, how do we send our technical mind on autopilot so we can fully surrender?

Preparation.

Lack of preparation clouds our purpose. If we are unprepared, whether through lack of rehearsal, sound issues, etc., then our thoughts are solely dedicated to merely “getting through” a service without falling apart.  Hence, our purpose is clouded.  We must be so prepared that we can suppress our technical minds so that we can truly connect with God.

I’m sure you’re thinking “if everything’s so rehearsed, that doesn’t leave God room to move during a service.”  On the contrary.  If we know our music intimately, know our instrument inside and out, and have nurtured our gifts and talents, then there is, in fact, more freedom.  We’re not limited by our own insecurities and inadequacies, or by those of our teammates.  Then, if the spirit moves the worship leader to move in a certain direction, we are ready and capable of following.

Part of preparation not only lies in rehearsal, but also in our comfort level as a team.  We must be so accustomed to each other–the way each member moves musically or technically–that the team can work as a unit.  Getting to that point takes listening, a comfort level with our instrument, and an understanding of music theory (or production skills) in general.  It also takes a certain amount of trust that your other team members possess the same.  We must also understand that this level of comfort takes time and effort on the part of every member of the ministry team or department.

As you strive to grow, stress the “autopilot mentality”.  Take small steps.  Stress preparation.  Begin to work–really work–as one unit.  Then comment and tell us your story!

See other posts in the series Striving to Grow:  Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry

  1. Stagnant Musicianship
  2. Mindset
  3. Autopilot
  4. Breaking Assumptions
  5. Time Wasters
  6. Distractions
  7. Listening
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No Comments by claybutlermusic on February 10, 2010
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Striving to Grow: Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry (part 2 – Mindset)

In keeping with our series on Striving to Grow, we’re looking at ways to overcome obstacles that hinder our ministry’s growth and effectiveness.  In our last post, we discussed dealing with stagnant musicianship.  Today, we’re going to deal with the mindset of our team’s members.

In ministry, everyone has a role and a function.  Different departments or teams, while they each have their own individual functions, all come together for a common purpose.  In other words, they act as one machine.  The Bible says that, although we all act individually, we all act as one body (1 Corinthians 12).  A hand has a different purpose than a foot, an eye serves a different purpose than an ear, and so on.  If one person or department doesn’t serve its function, then the entire machine is made less effective.  So, we have to facilitate a common mindset amongst our team’s members.

The church often talks about repentance as it pertains to salvation.  While it does mean turning from your old ways, the literal translation means “to change one’s mind”.  On our ministry teams, must ensure that all of our members have a similar mindset when it comes to excellence, humility, servitude, and self betterment.  I was speaking recently with a worship pastor friend about some ways to improve the quality and functionality of his team.  After explaining my philosophy on building a ministry team (and the biblical principles behind them), he replied, “but not everyone on the team has the same mindset as you do.”  While I’m neither asserting that I have all the answers, nor that my opinion is the Gospel, a team whose members do not share the same vision will not succeed.  It’s not even a team.  Such division turns a band into a stage full of soloists.

The word says in Romans 12:2,

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We must be like-minded when it comes to certain questions about our ministry:

  • How does God expect us to nourish our gifts and talents?  (Matthew 25:14-30)
  • Does God expect my best when it comes to my gift, talent, or service?  (Genesis 4:2-5)
  • Does God expect us to sacrifice our will and wants for the good of His Kingdom?  (Mark 1:16-20)
  • How committed to our calling does God expect us to be?  (Luke 9:62)
  • How committed do we need to be to each member of the group? (1 Thessalonians 5:11-15)
  • What areas of our life do we need to eliminate to fully serve our calling? (1 Timothy 2:22)

If we can all say that we are in agreement with all those principles, then our mindset is appropriate.  If problems arise as mindsets wander, that’s when ministries tend to pull apart.  The Word is also very clear as to what our response should be to dissension within a ministry, as in Titus 3:10.

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.”

These divisions must be dealt with swiftly and firmly for the good of the ministry as a whole.  While it’s hard to make those sorts of decisions, we as a ministry can’t afford to not be unified in our mindset, goals, and direction.  It’s much easier to define these principles early on than it is to realign (or remove) members that have been a part of the group for any significant length of time.

How do you ensure your team members are like-minded?  Comment and share your thoughts.

See other posts in the series Striving to Grow:  Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry

  1. Stagnant Musicianship
  2. Mindset
  3. Autopilot
  4. Breaking Assumptions
  5. Time Wasters
  6. Distractions
  7. Listening
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No Comments by claybutlermusic on February 9, 2010
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Striving to Grow: Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry (part 1 – Stagnant Musicianship)

Your music ministry is only as strong as its weakest memberIs your church’s music ministry team struggling to grow?

Hitting the proverbial wall is possibly one of the most disheartening aspects of trying to run a successful music ministry.  Things go great for a time, and then it seems like progress comes to a grinding halt–or worse, starts moving backwards.  Small factors combine into a detriment that can seriously cripple a music team.  Over this series, we’re going to look at several of the factors involved, and how we can possibly overcome them by referencing God’s word.

Stagnant Musicianship

The old saying, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” is applicable here.  Your music ministry is only as strong as its weakest member.  If your players don’t grow in their gift, they will get left behind.  What’s worse is that they begin to drag the entire team down in terms of time management and overall quality.  As other team members spend time honing their musical craft, or as newer, better members enter the group, stagnant musicians find it increasingly harder to keep up with the pace of the ministry.  It is vital that each member is committed to personal growth first, so that the ministry as a whole can grow.

Nowhere is this message clearer than the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30 NIV).

14″Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19″After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

21″His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22″The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’

23″His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24″Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26″His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28″ ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

While Jesus references money for his parable, the concept itself is applicable to not only money, but also the work we each do for the Kingdom of God.  We are each entrusted with certain gifts and talents for service.  Clearly, we are expected to grow those gifts and talents so that they will do the work of God with increasing efficacy.

If we as musicians don’t foster, nurture, and grow our musicianship on a continual basis, then we are just like the lazy servant.  We use our talent during the worship service, yet after the service, we dig a hole and bury it until the following week.  Then we dig it up again, re-use, and bury.  Where’s the growth?  God charges us to be good stewards of the gifts, talents, and blessings we’re given.  Our music ministry is no different.

Each team member should be committed to growing in his/her instrument, be that a musical instrument, sound console, lighting controller, camera, etc.  We are to know our instrument inside and out, so that we can lead others in worship, while ourselves worshiping, without thinking.  We should also increase our understanding of the theory behind what we’re doing, for instance music theory for musicians, acoustics for sound techs, camera techniques for video crew, and so on.

As you try to grow your team, constantly ask yourself this question:

Are we growing our gift and talent during the week, or are we simply digging up what God has entrusted us to nurture, and then burying it when we’re finished?

We’d love to hear your input!  Comment, and let us know how you’ve addressed growing musically as a ministry team.

See other posts in the series Striving to Grow:  Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry

  1. Stagnant Musicianship
  2. Mindset
  3. Autopilot
  4. Breaking Assumptions
  5. Time Wasters
  6. Distractions
  7. Listening
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2 Comments by claybutlermusic on February 8, 2010
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Churches and Copyrights: Are you Covered?

ChuCopyright symbolrches all over the country break the law every single week, and they don’t even know it.

Got your attention, didn’t I?  Most of us would agree that we wouldn’t walk into our local Wal-Mart store, shove a CD under our shirt, and sneak out the door.  However, the fact remains that most churches are guilty of stealing or using music illegally every Sunday, simply because they are unaware of their responsibilities when it comes to copyrights and the intellectual property of others.

As soon as composer or songwriter pens or records a song, that expressive work belongs to them and them alone.  This is what is known as Copyright.  Copyright holders are granted the exclusive right to perform, copy, distribute, and make derivative works from their music.  Anyone else wishing to use that music must obtain permission in the form of a “license”.  Most churches are under the impression that, because they are a church, those licensing obligations do not apply.  While churches are afforded certain exemptions, those exemptions do not cover every use of music by houses of worship.

Music sung or performed in a worship setting is, in fact, exempt from needing a license.  But what if the church hosts a concert or a conference?  What if the church plays a CD in the lobby?  Or in their on-hold message program?  Are churches legally able to project lyrics on a screen or print copies of lyrics in the bulletin?  These are not covered in the exemption and therefore need a license.

A performance license is required for activities such as concerts, conferences, on-hold messages, and music played in the lobby.  These are obtained through Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), which in the United States are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.  PROs also grant licenses for churches seeking to broadcast music via television, radio, and internet.

If churches display lyrics or store copies on a computer for projection or as handouts they will need a license from Christian Copyright License Incorporated (CCLI).  This license also covers recordings made of services that contain music (as long as it is not for broadcast or sale).

Don’t let your church make the costly mistake of assuming it is safe merely because it is a church.  Moreover, don’t fall into the trap of illegally using music and justifying it by saying “it’s okay because we’re doing the Lord’s work.”  Using someone else’s music without his/her permission is infringement.  Infringement is stealing.  Stealing is illegal.

We, are expected to abide by both God’s law and man’s law.  So we not only have a legal obligation, but a moral expectation to adhere to copyright law.  God makes this concept explicit in the ten commandments.  Genesis 20:15 NIV says,

“You shall not steal.”

Not only does copyright law ensure that music users appropriate proper credit to creators, but it also insures that copyright holders get fairly compensated for others who benefit from their music.  In reference to man’s law, God expects us to respect authority and, in turn, give credit (and money) where it is due. We learn this in Romans 13:

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Proper licensing helps us do just that.  We’re adhering to Man’s law.  We’re adhering to God’s law.  We no longer have to live in fear of getting caught or punished.  Most importantly, we no longer have to live with our conscience.

You can learn more about copyright obligations from this article at the MusicIsMyBiz Blog. You can also download the audio and notes from one of my seminars on this very topic.

While I’m not a lawyer and can’t assert this as legal advice, I’ll be glad to try to steer you in the right direction as best as I can.  If you have any questions about what your church is (or isn’t) doing in reference to using music, video, or images, feel free to comment and ask. If I don’t have an answer, I’ll connect you with someone who does!

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1 Comment by claybutlermusic on February 7, 2010
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Your Music Ministry: A Real-World Business Model

Many churches prefer not to think about it, but, like it or not, a church’s music and multimedia ministry is a part of the music and entertainment industry.  If music and multimedia is a commodity for day-to-day operations, you are indeed a part of the music biz.

Anyone who is in business will tell you that you must study and analyze your competition in order to survive.  In music ministry, we are in competition with the secular entertainment market.  In order to draw people in and engage them, our “product” (in this case, the worship experience) must offer a viable substitute to what congregants can get anywhere else.  A growth-focused contemporary church’s music, video, multimedia, and visual experience must rival what people find on the radio or at a concert–relevant and “in the now”.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that worship is a concert or performance, but let’s face the facts:  those things get people through your doors.  Now that you’ve drawn them in, it’s the substance that’s combined with the experience that creates true relevance.

So, how can we build a vibrant and relevant music ministry? Let’s take a cue from a real-world business model, by adapting what works in the secular markets, and putting it to work to help further the Kingdom of God.

  • Sales and Marketing. In music ministry you’re engaged in sales and marketing.  You’re basically getting someone else to “buy in” to a ministry opportunity with their time and talents.  You must publicize available positions, special events, etc.  If no one knows, then no one will volunteer or participate.
  • Human Resources. You’re also responsible for seeking the right person for the “job”.  You’re saddled with the task of conducting auditions and interviews.  This task is a weighty responsibility for any ministry team, because desperation to fill a given position most often results in a poor decision.
  • Public Relations. Your team must portray the image of your parent company, in this case, the church.  This image must be exuded both inside and outside the church’s walls.
  • Employee Evaluation. A ministry’s responsibility is to constantly asses the work ethic, attendance, and attitude of each “employee”.  Furthermore, you must assess each team member’s competency in his/her job.  Are they growing and learning their instrument?  Are they progressing with their musical knowledge?  Can they pull their weight?  Are they growing spiritually?
  • Legal Department. Churches all over the world break the law every week, and they don’t even know it.  It’s the ministry’s moral obligation to understand intellectual property rights and the church’s legal responsibilities as it pertains to those rights.  You also often deal with member contracts once players are recruited.
  • Maintenance and Quality Control. The ministry must supply a quality product (i.e. worship experience) each week.  So, the ministry must seek out and address areas of weakness and constantly look for ways to improve.
  • Research and Development. Again, to compete and survive, you must analyze and learn from the competition.  A ministry must learn from the most current trends and seek out ways to push forward.  You must research and implement new ways to improve and become more productive.  You must test ways to make your product become a viable substitute to what’s on the radio and in other entertainment.

While this is just a basic overview, there are many other parallels and lessons to draw from the business world when it comes to building a vibrant ministry team.  See www.butlerproductionsmultimedia.com/seminars to bring this and similar information to your church.

Comment and tell your ministry’s Startup Story!

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No Comments by claybutlermusic on February 6, 2010
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Just Getting Started

The Practical Music Ministry blog is designed to help anyone in the music ministry to reach their fullest potential.  Whether it’s team building, personal enrichment, practical solutions, or education, we want to help you grow and succeed–not just for you, but for the furthering of God’s Kingdom.

Our mission is to supply valuable information and resources music ministers, worship leaders, church musicians, multimedia teams, sound techs, praise bands and Christian entertainers.  We also want this to be a place where you can share advice, insight and encouragement to others.

I look forward to seeing you again soon!

–Clay

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No Comments by claybutlermusic on January 4, 2010
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